Dry Powder In the tradition of “Sweet Smell of Success” or “Glengarry Glen Ross,” Aurora Theatre’s Bay Area premiere finds glamour in the cutthroat world of private equity, a forbidden satisfaction and even morbid beauty in our essential selfishness and corruptibility. As the four capitalists in Sarah Burgess’ play duke it out over whether morality has any place in high finance, Jennifer King’s flawless direction makes the minutiae of analysts’ numbers and contracts’ clauses hum with life. Ends Sun., July 29. 100 minutes. $33-$65. Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. 510-843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org.

Everybody In adapting the medieval morality play “Everyman” into this Pulitzer Prize finalist, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins attempts to combat his source material’s deadly seriousness — it’s about a mortal confronting the hereafter — with levity. But in Cal Shakes’ West Coast premiere, that choice only adds glibness and disdain for the audience to a predictable plot gussied up with arbitrary choices. Through Aug. 5. 90 minutes. $20-$92, subject to change. California Shakespeare Theater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. 510-548-9666. www.calshakes.org.—L. Janiak

Hold These Truths However much we might wish to close the disgraceful chapter of Japanese internment during World War II, TheatreWorks’ production Jeanne Sakata’s one-man play about Gordon Hirabayashi only makes clear that the hate, ignorance, fear, prejudice and inhumanity of 1942 are still ours in 2018. Playing the crusader, who fought his internment from his college campus to the Supreme Court, Joel de la Fuente delivers each line as if he can’t wait to share it with us, which endows even Gordon’s lowest moments with springy, propulsive vigor. Ends Sun., Aug. 5. 100 minutes. $40-$100, subject to change. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. 650-463-1960. www.theatreworks.org.—L. Janiak

King of Cuba It’s delectable to watch machismo get hoisted by its own petard again and again in Central Works’ world premiere of Cristina García’s play, which she adapted from her eponymous novel. As a Cuban dictator (Marga Gomez, in a coup of cross-gender casting) and an exile in Miami are failing in health and running out of time for a final confrontation, they march toward each other, toward the grave, so proudly, it’s as if their shoulders are doing the walking — even as they’re calling out for comfort from “mami.” Through Aug. 19. Two hours. $15-$38. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. 510-558-1381. www.centralworks.org.—L. Janiak

The Magic Bus Antenna Theater presents Chris Hardman’s magical mystery tour through the hippie ’60s and the Beat and Cold War past, on a bus ride through the city. Veterans of the era might nitpick, but it’s hard to resist the old clips and ’60s music. Ongoing. $40-$59. Meet at Union Square, Geary Street, S.F. 855-969-6244. www.magicbussf.com.—R. Hurwitt

Marrakech Magic Theater Jay Alexander’s mien throughout his card tricks, mind reading, number games and feats of extraordinary coincidence is that of a nerd with overweening enthusiasm — enthusiasm you can’t help but share. And descending the venue’s mysterious steps into an all-arabesque lounge (with drinks and appetizers available for purchase) for preshow close-up magic and then entering a tiny jewel box theater for the actual show are experiences in and of themselves. Ongoing. 90 minutes. $45. Marrakech Magic Theater, 419 O’Farrell St., S.F. www.sanfranciscomagictheater.com. —L. Janiak

A Midsummer Night’s Dream This year’s Free Shakespeare in the Park offering from SF Shakes might well inspire many a belief in fairies — or temporarily rekindle one for those who have lost it. For magic suffuses Rebecca J. Ennals’ production of the love-juice-splashed romp; in one especially strong scene, actors speak to cast spells, which a whole ensemble of hangers-on registers as if assailed by tsunami. Through Sun., Aug. 5 at Memorial Park Amphitheater, 21163 Anton Way, Cupertino. Aug. 11-26 at grounds of Sequoia High School, 1201 Brewster Ave., Redwood City. Sept. 1-9 at Main Post Parade Ground Lawn, San Francisco’s Presidio. Sept. 15-23 at McLaren Park’s Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, 40 John F. Shelley Drive, S.F. Two hours 20 minutes. Free. 415-558-0888. www.sfshakes.org.

—L. Janiak

Seeing Red: A Time-Traveling Musical The progressive agitprop of the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s touring summer show, about a Trump voter who travels back in time to 1912, when her town was a locus of socialism, feels like the right medicine for our dark times. In the lead role, Lisa Hori-Garcia crackles, especially in her final tirade, when it’s as if she might leap off the stage and start rousing her audiences from their picnic blankets. 2 p.m. Sun., July 29, Live Oak Park, Berkeley; 7 p.m. Wed. and Thurs., Aug. 1-2, Lakeside Park at Lake Merritt, Oakland; 3 p.m. Sat., Aug. 4, St. James Park, San Jose; 2 p.m. Sun., Aug. 5. Through Sept. 9 at venues throughout Northern California. One hour. Free at most locations. 415-285-1717. www.sfmt.org.—L. Janiak

The Speakeasy It’s “Sleep No More” without the masks in this walk-through, Prohibition-era theater experience; audiences can play craps and blackjack, sneak through secret passages, quaff period cocktails, take in a dance at a cabaret, then spy on those dancers in their dressing room, via a two-way mirror. A feast for the adventurous — don’t try to get in without period attire of your own — “The Speakeasy” deserves to be a fixture in the Bay Area theater scene. Ongoing. Three hours, 30 minutes. $85-$130. Secret venue near North Beach and Chinatown, S.F. www.thespeakeasysf.com.

—L. Janiak

Tourettes Without Regrets The long-running Oakland variety show hosted by Jamie DeWolf mixes stand-up, storytelling, circus, slam poetry, burlesque, freestyle rap and that which defies category. The high art elevates the low, and the low art democratizes the high. Rules manifest the Bay Area spirit at its finest: “Be offended” but never boo. And in what other theater experience do you get to roar with adulation as if you’re at a rock concert? First Thursday of every month. Three and a half hours. $15. Oakland Metro Operahouse, 522 Second St., Oakland. touretteswithoutregrets.com.—L. Janiak

The Waiting Period The subject is suicidal depression, but there’s nothing depressing about this brilliant solo from Brian Copeland. The 70-minute tale of waiting to get the gun he bought to kill himself is brutally honest, astonishingly funny, urgent, courageous and charmingly told. Ends Sun., July 29. Free-$100. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org.

—R. Hurwitt

White It might well be possible to write a show about an entitled white guy and have the piece as a whole be way less annoying than its central character, but Shotgun Players’ production of James Ijames’ play is not yet that show. The play isn’t on the side of Gus, a rising star visual artist who thinks he’s more deserving than his counterparts of color, yet his ideology and point of view get most of the stage time. Ends Sun., Aug. 5. One hour, 40 minutes. $25-$42. Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. 510-841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org.

Broadway Under the Stars: Shall We Dance Transcendence Theatre Company presents a showcase of music and dance exploring themes of intimacy, romance and humor using the variety of dance styles including jazz, lyrical, tap and social dances set to a musical program featuring popular music, Broadway and classics from the American songbook. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Aug. 3-19. $45-$150. Jack London Historical Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glenn Ellen. transcendencetheatre.org/single-tickets

The Enchantress Lyric Theatre of San Jose presents Victor Herbert’s story of a leader who must select a royal wife but finds himself captivated by a bewitching opera singer and has to choose between his heart and his country. 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 4; 2 p.m. Sun., Aug. 5. $12-$26. San Jose City College Theater, 2100 Moorpark Ave., San Jose. www.lyrictheatre.org

Keeping Up with the Jorgensons The Marsh presents Jeremy Juliana Greco’s solo show recounting a childhood road trip to Orange County to attend the wedding of a relative he’d never met. 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. Aug. 2-25. $20-$100. The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org

The Mousetrap San Leandro Players presents Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit about a group of strangers trapped by a storm who discover that a murderer is among them. Through Aug. 19. $15-$20. San Leandro Museum/Auditorium, 320 West Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. www.slplayers.org

Parade Youth Musical Theater Company presents Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown’s true story and cautionary tale of a Brooklyn-raised Jew living in Georgia who is put on trial for the murder of a young factory worker he employed. Ends Sun., July 29. $15-$28. El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Theater, 540 Ashby Ave., El Cerrito. www.ymtcbayarea.org

Pete the Cat Bay Area Children’s Theatre presents the story of an ill-mannered rock ’n’ roll cat who helps his new owner to pass second grade. Saturdays and Sundays. Through August 5. $22-$27. Bay Area Children’s Theatre Center, 2055 Center St., Berkeley. bactheatre.org

A Place to Belong ACT’s Young Conservatory and Destiny Arts Center programs present the world premiere of Marisela Treviño Orta’s snapshot of a day in the life of Bay Area teens exploring the impact of gentrification, LGBTQ+ intolerance, mental health stigmas, and systemic discrimination on our youth. 2 p.m. Sun., July 29. $5-$30. Destiny Arts Center, 970 Grace Ave., Oakland. aplacetobelong2018.eventbrite.com

Remember Los Siete Brava Studio Sessions presents a work-in-progress showing of Vero Majano’s multimedia performance utilizing archival film, audio interviews, and personal history to form an artist’s response to the under-documented story of the seven men know as Los Siete, and the story’s lasting effect on the San Francisco Mission community and the artist’s place within it. 7 p.m. Tues., July 31. Free. Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th St., S.F. www.brava.org/all-events/2018/7/31/remember-los-siete

Richard III The African-American Shakespeare Company presents the story of the Machiavellian rise to power of one of Shakespeare’s most complex antiheroes. Directed by Kristen Brandt. Ends Sun., July 29. $30. Taube Atrium Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-762-2071. african-americanshakes.org

The Savannah Sipping Society Ross Valley Players presents the comedy about four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, who are drawn together by fate — an impromptu happy hour — and decide it’s time to reclaim their enthusiasm for life. Through Aug. 12. $10-$27. Barn Theatre, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. 415-456-9555, ext. 1. www.rossvalleyplayers.com

Sunday in the Park With George San Francisco Playhouse presents Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical spanning centuries to examine the artistic process and the plight of the artist. Through Sept. 8. $20-$125. San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St., S.F. www.sfplayhouse.org

A Thousand Splendid Suns ACT presents Ursula Rani Sarma’s adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s novel set amid the war-torn streets of modern day Kabul and telling the story of three generations of Afghan women bound together by marriage, family, and a secret past. Ends Sun., July 29. $22-$110. ACT’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., S.F. 415-439-2424. www.act-sf.org/home/box_office/1718_season/suns.html

What They Said About Love The Marsh presents Steve Budd’s “Best of Fringe” winning solo show in which he explores the subject of marriage taking on the personas of more than a dozen Bay Area characters. 8 p.m. Thursdays; 5 p.m. Saturdays. Through Aug. 18. $20-$100. The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org